Director of Physical Product Development

Function of Beauty is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Physical Product Development (PPD) to lead the end-to-end development and evolution of our physical product portfolio across all channels, including DTC, U.S. mass retail, international retail, and eCommerce.

This leadership role will own a rolling three-year innovation roadmap spanning portfolio optimization, line extensions, new product launches, and in-store merchandising solutions. Reporting to the VP of Labs, the Director will partner cross-functionally with Labs, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Insights, and Data & AI to bring high-impact products to market that drive growth, profitability, and consumer delight.

This role is based in our NYC headquarters and requires in-office presence four days per week (Monday–Thursday).

What You’ll Own

Product Roadmap & Innovation Strategy

• Build and manage a forward-looking 3-year physical product roadmap
• Identify new opportunities through consumer, category, and competitive insights
• Lead Gate 0 business cases and decision packages for leadership review
• Balance optimization, extensions, and breakthrough innovation across the portfolio

End-to-End Product Development

• Own product initiatives from concept through launch and post-launch review
• Lead stage-gate planning, timelines, milestones, budgets, and risk management
• Drive cross-functional alignment across R&D, Operations, Marketing, Sales, and Finance
• Ensure products launch on time, on budget, and on margin

Portfolio Optimization

• Identify opportunities to improve performance, cost, margin, quality, and consumer experience
• Build business cases and lead execution of approved enhancements
• Manage transitions and inventory implications with minimal disruption

Retail POP & Merchandising

• Lead development of in-store displays and merchandising systems
• Ensure solutions meet brand, retailer, operational, and cost requirements
• Coordinate execution with Sales, Operations, and external partners

Supplier & Technical Partnerships

• Build relationships with innovative suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Lead feasibility, sampling, scalability, and component evaluations
• Oversee readiness for production and PO placement in partnership with Operations

What You Bring

• 10+ years in physical product development, innovation, product management, or program leadership
• 5+ years leading complex cross-functional product launches end-to-end
• Experience in beauty, personal care, CPG, or adjacent consumer categories
• Strong understanding of stage-gate development processes
• Proven ability to build roadmaps, assess financial opportunities, and influence senior leadership
• Experience in omnichannel environments including DTC and mass retail
• Excellent communication, prioritization, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• MBA, MS, or related advanced degree preferred
• PMP, Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or similar certifications a plus

Why Join Function of Beauty

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a disruptive beauty brand by leading innovation, driving cross-functional execution, and bringing exciting new products to life across multiple channels.